Our Cowboy Cookies recipe is a reader favorite! Packed with yummy mix-ins such as oats, chocolate chips, and pecans (or walnuts), they have a nice, chewy texture. 

You can make it your own and add raisins or cranberries for an even chewier taste; some folks like to add shredded coconut. You can make them any way you like—whether you like oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, cookies with walnuts, or coconut cookies. Can’t decide? Make it with all those things!

These cookies are a favorite to share at parties, office gatherings, and late-night get-togethers. They are especially great for the holidays and when you need a quick and easy dessert fix. 

These cookies freeze well, too. Perfect for guests or when you don’t want to eat too many at once!

Ingredients2 cups old-fashioned oats 2 cups all-purpose flour3/4 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened1/4 cup vegetable shortening3/4 cup brown sugar2/3 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups semisweet chocolate chips3/4 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter, shortening, and sugars for 2 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla. Stir in the dry mixture, about half at a time. Add chocolate chips and walnuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour (or longer; if longer, let sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping).
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two baking sheets or line with parchment paper.
4. Using 1⁄4 cup of dough per cookie, shape dough into balls and place on baking sheet, leaving 2-1/2 inches in between. Flatten balls into 1⁄ 3-inch-thick disks with your fingers. Bake one sheet at a time on the center oven rack for 13 to 14 minutes, turning the baking sheet 180 degrees midway through the baking time. When done, cookies will have browned very lightly and will still look moist beneath the surface. Do not overbake.

Variations

Instructions

Cowboy Cookies with Coconut
Add 1 cup of flaked sweetened coconut to the dough along with the chocolate chips.

Bandana Cowboy Cookies
Omit the chocolate chips and substitute 1 cup of white chocolate chips and 1 cup of Craisins. (The white and red suggest a cowboy’s bandana.)

Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies
Omit the chocolate chips and substitute 2 cups of peanut butter chips. Or, use 1 cup each of peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.